LINCOLN, Neb. – A Greenwood man is in critical but stable condition in a Lincoln hospital after being pulled from Branched Oak Lake on Aug. 18.
James William Lee, 61, remains in the intensive care unit at Bryan LGH Medical Center West, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Lee was not wearing a life jacket when he swam from the shore at Area 14 to retrieve his personal watercraft, which had drifted off the beach. He was found face-down in the water about 50 yards from the shore at approximately 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Boaters pulled Lee from the lake and returned him to the shore. He was transported to the hospital by medial helicopter.
Area 14, located in the southeast corner of the lake, is a popular spot for boaters and personal watercraft users.
Game and Parks said personal watercraft users should beach their craft and secure it to prevent the craft from drifting away.